Using supercritical carbon dioxide as a solvent for two novel flame retardants, chemists have made cotton as resistant to flames in lab-scale tests as Nomex, the popular material used in lab coats and NASCAR racing suits. Cotton is usually made flame resistant with resins that are applied to finished garments. But as these garments are laundered and go through normal wear and tear, the resin gradually comes off. Furthermore, the resins usually contain toxic halogenated . . .